Desert Safari Booking Abu Dhabi
Book your Abu Dhabi desert safari in one message. Choose self-drive, a shared bus, a shared 4×4 or a private car. See your total in dollars and pay on arrival.
Build your booking
Add extras (optional)
USD 41 (AED 150)
USD 27 (AED 100)
USD 54 (AED 200)
USD 22 (AED 80)
USD 8 (AED 30)
USD 41 (AED 150)
USD 22 (AED 80)
USD 14 (AED 50)
Desert safari booking in Abu Dhabi takes one WhatsApp message. Self-drive costs USD 11 (AED 40) per person. The shared bus costs USD 16 (AED 60), and the shared 4×4 costs USD 41 (AED 150). A private car for up to 6 guests costs USD 191 (AED 700). Prices already include our 25% discount. You pay on arrival, with no deposit and free cancellation 24 h ahead.
Pick your Abu Dhabi desert safari package
Here’s the thing about desert safari prices in Abu Dhabi. The headline number rarely tells the whole story. So we show the transfer type, the total and the extras before you send anything. Choose a package below, or build your own in the booking box at the top of this page.
Self-drive
Drive to the meeting point and join the safari.
Select self-driveShared bus
Pickup at Al Wahda Mall, Mazyad Mall or Safeer Mall Shabiya.
Select shared busShared 4×4
Ride in a shared Land Cruiser with hotel pickup.
Select shared 4×4Private car
Your own car for your group, with hotel pickup.
Select private carEvening Desert Safari
VIP seating and a single-seater bike. Pickup 2:30 to 3:30 PM.
See the evening safari
Morning Desert Safari
A daytime safari with dune bashing before the heat builds.
See the morning safari
Overnight Desert Safari
Stay at the Bedouin camp, with BBQ dinner and a desert sunrise.
See the overnight safari
Sunrise Desert Safari
A private tour with a desert breakfast at sunrise.
See the sunrise safari
Sundowner Dune Safari
Sunset dune bashing with a photo stop on the highest dune.
See the sundowner
Camel Trek
A slow camel trek as the sun goes down.
See the camel trek
Quad Bike Tour
A full quad session on the dunes.
See the quad tourSandboarding Tour
Dune faces of about 30 m, with boards and a guide.
See sandboarding
Dune Buggy Tour
Drive an open buggy across the sand.
See the dune buggy| Option | Price | Pickup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-drive | USD 11 (AED 40) per person | None. You drive to the meeting point. | Travellers with a car |
| Shared bus | USD 16 (AED 60) per person | Al Wahda Mall, Mazyad Mall or Safeer Mall Shabiya | Solo guests and couples |
| Shared 4×4 | USD 41 (AED 150) per person | Hotel pickup in a shared Land Cruiser | Families and small groups |
| Private car | USD 191 (AED 700) per car, up to 6 guests | Hotel pickup, car is yours alone | Groups and families of up to 6 |
Which desert safari suits you
Not every group wants the same day. Here is how guests usually choose, and what we tell them when they ask on WhatsApp.
Families with kids
Take the morning or evening safari in the shared 4×4 or a private car. Our drivers adjust the dune bashing to your group.
See the family safari →Couples
Book the private sundowner. You get sunset dune bashing and a photo stop on the highest dune.
See the sundowner →Groups of up to 6
The private car works out at about USD 32 per guest, and the car is yours alone.
See the private safari →Travellers with a car
Self-drive starts at USD 11 (AED 40) per person. You skip the transfer and keep the same activities.
See the budget safari →Thrill seekers
Add a quad bike in the booking box. Or book the dune buggy tour for 30 minutes behind the wheel.
See quad biking →Photo lovers
Sunset photography is part of the evening, and falcon photography and a professional photographer are optional extras.
See falconry →How desert safari booking works
There is no online payment and no booking fee. You message us on WhatsApp, we confirm, and you pay on arrival. Most guests finish in about two minutes.
Send your details
Share your date, group size and pickup point. The booking box above writes the message for you. We usually reply within minutes.
We confirm
We check availability, give you the exact pickup time and confirm your total price.
Pay on arrival
Enjoy the safari. Pay by cash or card on the day.
Between you and me, this is the part we care about most. A booking should feel like texting a friend who knows the desert, not filling in a form.
Start on WhatsApp- Your travel date, or two dates if you are flexible.
- How many adults and how many children.
- Your mall or hotel for pickup, or self-drive if you have a car.
- The package you want, and any extras.
How a standard evening safari runs
Most guests ask us the same thing first: what actually happens, and when? Here is the evening safari from pickup to drop-off.
- 2:30 to 3:30 PMPickupYour driver collects you from your mall or hotel. Self-drive guests meet us at the camp location.
- On the roadThe drive to Al KhatimAllow about 46 to 61 minutes from our three mall pickups, depending on traffic.
- DunesDune bashing in Land CruisersExperienced drivers take you over the dunes and adjust the intensity to your group.
- CampCamp arrivalArabic coffee and dates to start. Then a short camel ride, sandboarding, henna for ladies, Arabic costumes for photos and sunset photography.
- 6:30 PMStartersPakora, samosa and tea.
- DinnerBBQ buffet dinnerVeg and non-veg options, with unlimited water. Sheesha is available in one specific place only.
- NightLive showsBelly dance, LED Tanoura and a fire show.
- 9:00 to 9:30 PMDrop-offAbout 6 hours in total, door to door.
Timings are for the evening safari. Morning and overnight safaris run to their own schedule, so check the full Abu Dhabi desert safari timings.
Where your safari starts
Our camp sits in the Al Khatim desert. These are the measured road distances from our three shared pickup points to the camp pin.
Safeer Mall Shabiya
About 46 minutes. Shared bus pickup.
Mazyad Mall
About 47 minutes. Shared bus pickup.
Al Wahda Mall
About 61 minutes. Shared bus pickup.
Hotel pickup comes with the shared 4×4 and the private car. Staying in Khalifa City? The camp is 72.1 km away, about 54 minutes. From Zayed International Airport it is 72.9 km, about 58 minutes. Coming from Al Ain, it is 93.4 km, about 64 minutes.
Driving yourself on the self-drive package? Open the pin below and follow the road toward Al Ain (E22).
What you do at the camp
Most of this comes with the standard package. Falcon photos and VIP majlis seats are paid extras. Tap any tile to read more.
Our drivers and cars
Dune bashing runs in Toyota Land Cruisers with experienced, licensed drivers. The intensity can be adjusted for your comfort. Tell your driver if you want a gentler ride, and they will take it easier on the dunes.
Why guests book with Desert Safaris Booking
We have run Abu Dhabi desert safaris since 2010, and we are DCT-licensed in Abu Dhabi. Guests rate us 4.9 from 12,000+ reviews, and more than 1.5 million guests have joined our safaris. We run our own camp in the Al Khatim desert. We know the dunes, the drivers and the timings first hand.
Prices before you pay
Honestly, surprise charges at camp drive us crazy. Reviews of other Abu Dhabi safaris on Tripadvisor often mention them. We show the total, and the cost of every extra, before you send a message.
Pay on arrival
No deposit and no online payment. You pay by cash or card on the day, after we confirm your pickup time.
Real people on WhatsApp
You talk to our team, not a form. Message us any time on +971 50 414 6025.
Our own camp
The camp at Al Khatim is ours. When something changes on the day, we can fix it ourselves.
What guests say about booking with us
These are reviews from guests who booked through us. They name the package they took, because that is what you need to know.
Best value desert safari we found in the UAE. We did the self-drive option for AED 40 each and still got everything, dune bashing, dinner, the fire show. Unreal.
So much quieter than Dubai. The Al Khatim dunes were beautiful at sunset and the Bedouin camp felt authentic. Booking on WhatsApp took two minutes.
We took the kids on the morning safari. Driver was careful, sandboarding was a hit, and paying on arrival made it stress-free. Highly recommend.
The overnight Bedouin camp was the highlight of our UAE trip. Stars everywhere, great BBQ, and a calm sunrise over the dunes. Worth every dirham.
Added the quad bike and falcon photo through their builder, got an instant WhatsApp message with the total. Smooth, transparent, no hidden fees.
Booked the private car for our family of five. Comfortable Land Cruiser, friendly team, and the BBQ had great veg options. Will book again.
See it before you book
Five desert safari booking mistakes to avoid
We hear the same five on WhatsApp every week. Skip them and your day goes smoothly.
- Comparing prices without comparing transfers.A USD 11 self-drive and a USD 41 shared 4×4 are different days. Check who collects you, and from where.
- Assuming extras are included.On our standard packages, quad bikes, long dune bashing, VIP seating, falcon photography and a professional photographer cost extra. We show each price before you book.
- Ignoring the heat.Daytime highs reach about 41 to 43 degrees Celsius in June, July and August. Ask us which safari suits your month, or read the Abu Dhabi desert safari guide.
- Forgetting your pickup point.Tell us your mall or hotel when you book. The drive from Al Wahda Mall takes about 61 minutes, against about 46 from Safeer Mall Shabiya.
- Keeping health concerns for the day.If anyone is pregnant or has back, neck or heart problems, message us first.
Book direct or through a marketplace?
Marketplaces such as GetYourGuide, Viator and Tripadvisor list many Abu Dhabi safaris side by side. They suit you if you want to compare dozens of operators and pay online when you book. Booking with us works differently. Neither route is wrong. Pick the one that fits how you like to book.
| Marketplace | Direct with us | |
|---|---|---|
| How you book | On a website or app, from a list of operators. | One WhatsApp message to our team. |
| Payment | Usually online when you book. | Pay on arrival. No deposit. |
| Price | Shown per listing. Check what is included. | Total and every extra in dollars before you decide. |
| Questions | Through the platform or the operator. | Straight to the people who run the camp. |
Whichever you choose, check three things. What does the price include? How do you get to the camp? What costs extra once you are there?
Looking for a Dubai desert safari?
This page is for Abu Dhabi. Our Dubai safaris leave from different pickup points and use different prices, so we keep them on their own page.
More Abu Dhabi desert safari guides
Every safari, activity and desert spot we cover, in one place.
Safaris
Activities
Desert places
Desert safari booking: your questions
How do I book a desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
Message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 414 6025, or use the booking box at the top of this page. Send your date, number of guests and pickup point. We reply with availability, your pickup time and the total. You pay on arrival.
Do I pay online or on arrival?
There is no online payment and no deposit. You pay by cash or card on the day of your safari.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Cancellation is free with 24 h notice.
What is the difference between self-drive, shared bus, shared 4×4 and private car?
Self-drive means you drive your own car to the meeting point. The shared bus picks up at Al Wahda Mall, Mazyad Mall and Safeer Mall Shabiya. The shared 4×4 and the private car include hotel pickup. The private car is yours alone for up to 6 guests.
How many guests fit in a private car?
The private car takes up to 6 guests. Larger groups use more than one car.
Is the price per person?
Self-drive, shared bus, shared 4×4, Morning, Evening, Overnight and Sandboarding are priced per person. The private car is priced per car. The Sunrise and Sundowner safaris are private tours, and the Dune Buggy Tour is priced per 30 minutes.
What do the standard packages include?
Every standard package includes dune bashing in Land Cruisers, a short camel ride and sandboarding. You also get henna for ladies, Arabic costumes for photos, tea and unlimited water. Washrooms are available for men and women. Dinner is a BBQ buffet with veg and non-veg options. Live shows include belly dance, LED Tanoura and a fire show.
What costs extra?
Quad bikes, long dune bashing, VIP majlis seating, falcon photography, a long camel ride, sheesha at your table and a professional photographer cost extra. Add each one in the booking box to see the new total straight away.
What time does the evening safari start and finish?
Pickup is between 2:30 and 3:30 PM and drop-off is between 9:00 and 9:30 PM. That is about 6 hours in total.
Where are the pickup points?
Shared pickups leave from Al Wahda Mall, Mazyad Mall and Safeer Mall Shabiya. Hotel pickup comes with the shared 4×4 and the private car.
Is dune bashing safe for children?
Experienced, licensed drivers handle dune bashing in Toyota Land Cruisers, and they adjust the intensity for your group. If anyone is pregnant or has back, neck or heart problems, message us before you book.
Should I book an Abu Dhabi or a Dubai desert safari?
We run both. This page covers Abu Dhabi, with our camp in the Al Khatim desert. Dubai has its own page, with its own pickup points and prices.
When is the best time for a desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
October to April is the most comfortable, with daytime temperatures of about 22 to 30 degrees Celsius. December and January are the coolest months. Safaris run all year.
What is the Al Khatim desert?
Al Khatim is the desert area between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, beside the E22 road. Our camp is there. The road distance is 63.1 km from Safeer Mall Shabiya, 64.0 km from Mazyad Mall and 85.0 km from Al Wahda Mall.
Can I book a private safari for my family?
Yes. The private car takes up to 6 guests with hotel pickup. The Sunrise and Sundowner safaris are private tours, so they also suit families who want their own group.
Is Desert Safaris Booking licensed?
Yes. We are DCT-licensed in Abu Dhabi.
Ready to book your Abu Dhabi desert safari?
Send us your date and group size. We reply within minutes, confirm your pickup time and give you the total. You pay on arrival.
Want a different style of day? Try the sunrise safari, the overnight camp or a private sundowner.
